Merawi is situated about 30 kilometers south of Bahir Dar and approximately c.525 km from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital.

Specifically, the town is located c.7 km near Koga Dam, lying on latitude and longitude coordinates of 11°24′31″N 37°9′39″E / 11.40861°N 37.16083°E / 11.40861; 37.16083 with an elevation of 1901 meters above sea level.

Based on Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA)'s 2021 projection,[4] Merawi is estimated to have a total population of 40,094, of whom 21,312 are male and 18,782 are female.

Notably, a significant portion of its populace still depends on the production and sale of traditional alcoholic beverages known as "Tella" and "Arekie" for their livelihoods.

Remarkably, Merawi's traditional "Arekie" has emerged as a renowned brand, finding widespread distribution in the northwestern regions of Ethiopia, including Bahir Dar, Gondar, Humera, and Metema, and as far as neighboring Sudan.

Besides, the town is known for its huge timber market; largely eucalyptus tree, indicating its immense potential to host a pulp and paper industry.

As the hub of Koga Integrated Irrigation Dam project, the town and its neighboring villages benefit from marketing surplus production.

[citation needed] On January 29, 2024,[8][9] soldiers belonging to the Ethiopian Army conducted house-in-house summary execution of more than 50 civilians in Merawi town,[10] purportedly in revenge for a military loss to Fano.